Years ago we booked this, when the crossing was on a FastCraft (SeaCat) and we were staying on Anglesey. Ferry timings were very early morning, and on that particular morning we woke up and decided the weather was too bad that it was worth losing the small amount it cost, so we didn't go. Those who did venture on board never made Dublin, unfortunately - they were kept 'on hold' in the Irish sea for hours, before limping back to Anglesey. Friends who went said 'Never again' but I must admit we've been tempted since, but never in the right place a the right time for the cheap offers.
My sister is taking part of the advice already offered, and flying with Ryanair for just £9.99 each way, a Premiere Lodge in the city was booked using some vouchers they got from a shopping promotion, and so the whole trip is costing very little.
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It's fair to say that the success of day trips rely on good luck & good timing & one must be prepared for a long day. My example. Leave home for Dover at 04.30 hours & after a day out in France, supermkts, visiting interesting places like where the French/Belg border runs down the middle of the road etc & dinner at a French friend's home nr Boulogne we get the 23.35 ferry back & get home about 2am the next day.
I gauge the success in stages. First of all I don't book until 2 days before to ensure no wind & rain. Stage 1 is a clear run to Dover. Stage 2 is a ferry on time with no holdups & so on right through the day. Each is a small victory that can be savoured.
The op's itinerary looks doable. He is about an hours drive from ferryport & ferry leaves at 08.55. Arrives Dublin at 12.10 & then he has until the 20.40 evening departure with midnight arrival` back at Holyhead.
Sounds good to me. Can do, not can don't is what day trips are about. I'm sure I recall at one time you could do a day trip to New York on Concorde.
There is a fast ferry run by Irish ferries. They often do cheap trips only advertised on their emails. We went Dublin to Wales last year free. You get a free trip if you go to France with them.
Even on the slower boats, it is perfectly doable and no problem at all.
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Quote: Originally posted by Ewen c on 23/8/2016
Try Fallon and Byrne on exchequer St. The foodhall is cheap and very good quality. F&B
I'd avoid eating in temple bar. There are good places but it is a real tourist trap.
The national museum of Ireland is very good and is on a luas stop. It saves on the walking.
I'd avoid doing anything in temple Bar. Best Place for a drink is around Merrion Row - O'donoghues etc.
Hello . I have just posted asking about a day trip to Ireland . I would like to stay with the caravan near Conway . Then travel by train to Holyhead and ferry for the day .
I have had a few replies and was re directed to this post .
Did you go how did you get on or was it a bit too much to do .
The ferry crossing was a pleasant trip. Food and drinks going out was expensive. £5.10 for a tea and a coffee.
I found Dublin to be pretty much like the Wast end. Instead of red double decker, black taxi souvenirs it was shamrocks and leprechauns.
I had a pub lunch at the Brazen Head which is meant to be the oldest pub in Ireland. I had a pint of Guinness so I can say I have had a pint of the black stout in Ireland. Wife and kids had coke. 3x homemade gourmet burger+ chunky fries and 1x chicken strips £62 with drinks.
There are lots of buses but no bus route map so once my phone died I was lost. It became a bit of a nightmare as we were forever walking from one bus stop to the next. Next time I would make sure i got a map showing bus routes. I did buy a new battery for my phone but it probably needs a factory reset as it still ran down just as quick.
The irish museum was excellent but it was too hot in there and the kids were not interested.
The other attractions costs lots of money which I did not have as this was only supposed to be a cheap day excursion within our wales holiday.
I think if I ever went again I would get out of the hustle of central Dublin and try somewhere quieter.
Thanks for the update. I have never been to Ireland either, despite being of advanced age, and having some Irish heritage way back. Must do it sometime, and never realised a day trip was so doable. So thanks for posting.
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Quote: Originally posted by orkboss on 07/11/2016
The ferry crossing was a pleasant trip. Food and drinks going out was expensive. £5.10 for a tea and a coffee.
I found Dublin to be pretty much like the Wast end. Instead of red double decker, black taxi souvenirs it was shamrocks and leprechauns.
I had a pub lunch at the Brazen Head which is meant to be the oldest pub in Ireland. I had a pint of Guinness so I can say I have had a pint of the black stout in Ireland. Wife and kids had coke. 3x homemade gourmet burger+ chunky fries and 1x chicken strips £62 with drinks.
There are lots of buses but no bus route map so once my phone died I was lost. It became a bit of a nightmare as we were forever walking from one bus stop to the next. Next time I would make sure i got a map showing bus routes. I did buy a new battery for my phone but it probably needs a factory reset as it still ran down just as quick.
The irish museum was excellent but it was too hot in there and the kids were not interested.
The other attractions costs lots of money which I did not have as this was only supposed to be a cheap day excursion within our wales holiday.
I think if I ever went again I would get out of the hustle of central Dublin and try somewhere quieter.
Can I just say that four can certainly lunch well in Dublin for less than £62. And there are many areas devoid of leprechauns and shamrocks ! And finally most places can be easily got to by either the new LUAS tram or by shanks's pony - apart from the open top tour I don't think I've ever got a bus in central Dublin.
Sorry you had a bad time orkboss, I just wanted to point out the opposites in case anyone else thinking of making a trip reads this later.
We were out in Dublin before Halloween and ate out for 40 Eur for three. Huge helpings of BBQ meat and sides. That was on the quays. Didn't see any leprechauns though.
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Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 08/11/2016
Can I just say that four can certainly lunch well in Dublin for less than £62. And there are many areas devoid of leprechauns and shamrocks ! And finally most places can be easily got to by either the new LUAS tram or by shanks's pony - apart from the open top tour I don't think I've ever got a bus in central Dublin.
Sorry you had a bad time orkboss, I just wanted to point out the opposites in case anyone else thinking of making a trip reads this later.
I did specify walking was a problem and would be a problem before I even went. I did leave the wife and kids at the gallerie to rest while I walked to the tourist office to get a bus route map. I don't know any of the places so final destinations on buses are no good to me. I had no gauge of how long and frequency of buses to get out of the centre. I did not want to miss the bus back to the ferry. There is no public bus to the ferry, well done Dublin for that, so my leap card was useless for getting to and from the port.
I did point out that the bus from the ferry didn't take travel cards....
------------- Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag